Hudson River Fish Advisory Outreach Project

Hudson River Fish Advisory Outreach Project Request for Application

The Hudson River Fish Advisory Outreach Project is an initiative with a goal that all anglers and others who eat fish from the Hudson River know about and follow the Hudson River fish advisories. Through this Request for Application (RFA), Health Research Incorporated (HRI) and the New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) announce the availability of up to $60,000 per year to develop partnerships with local groups to achieve the project goal. The maximum annual award is $20,000.

NYSDOH issues specific health advisories for more than 130 bodies of water in New York, including the Hudson River. The Hudson River Fish Advisory Outreach Project will collaborate with local partners to make people aware of the sport fish advisories, to help people understand the advisory messages, and to encourage people to follow the advisories. NYSDOH seeks to improve outreach efforts by advancing successful strategies and by learning about barriers that prevent people who eat Hudson River fish from following the advisories. Outreach to women of childbearing age, children under 15, low-income, low-literacy and limited-English proficiency audiences are priorities.

The project area available for this dedicated funding extends 192 miles along the Hudson River from Baker's Falls in Hudson Falls (Washington County) to the southern tip of the Manhattan Battery in New York City. The watershed includes the Hudson River and its tributaries up to the first barrier impassible to fish.

In July 2008, grants totaling $60,500 were awarded to four community groups for community outreach to urge anglers and other fish consumers to follow the Department's Hudson River fish advisories. The four grants, representing Rockland, the upper Hudson from Troy to Fort Edward, Dutchess and Columbia counties are:

Cornell Cooperative Extension of Rockland County, Rockland County Department of Health and Rockland County AmeriCorps ($19,500).

Hudson Basin River Watch and Columbia County Deparment of Health ($13,000).

Through these community partnerships, awardees promote awareness about advisories, help to identify why people may not follow the fish advisories, and develop educational tools and outreach activities. Grantees are working in a variety of settings, from fishing locations on the river to clinic waiting rooms, community events, shopping areas and food pantries, and with youth groups and rod and gun clubs.

Important RFA Dates

Questions Due:

February 20, 2009, 3:00 PM

Deadline for Registration:

February 23, 2009, 3:00 PM

Applicant Teleconference:

February 25, 2009, 2:00 PM

RFA Updates Posted:

On or About March 2, 2009

Letter of Interest:

March 10, 2009

Applications Due:

March 18, 2009, 3:00 PM

Note: The RFA is currently closed.

To receive a printed copy of the RFA and grant application contact hrfa@health.state.ny.us or call 1-800-458-1158 ext. 2-7530